Searchlight for automobiles



' H. D. THOMAS SEARCHL-IGHT FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed June 9, 1920 If it is desired, however, to direct the light sideways to read signs or for other purposes of orientation, the light may be turned about the vertical spindle 6 and when the disk 8 has passed the arm 3, the light may be turned about spindle 7 to any desired extent. The utility of asearch light is thus not interfered with while its dangerous attributes are eliminated. 7

It is understood that the element represented in the preceding description by the disk 9 may have any desired configuration. The essential characteristic is the provision thereon of stop elements co-operating in any predetermined way with the arm 3 or other equivalent structural element to limit the angular motion of the search light as described while retaining universal freedom of motion in all other directions.

While the subject matter of my invention involves a specific structural arrangement, there is considerable latitude in the execution of the various details.

The usual connection for affording universal movement of the light includes two spindles at right angles to each other, as

support is inclined or due to other causes For the sake'of convenience I refer to this spindle, 1n the claims, as vertical sp ndle or as afi'ordlng horizontal movement and do not intend to be limited to the strict interpretation o'fthese terms.

Iclaim: I

l, The combination with a Searchlight, of an arm for attachment to a vehicle, a horizontal spindle onsaid Searchlight and having a projecting end located substantially in the vertical plane through said arm when the Searchlight is directed forwardly, a vertical spindle pivoted on said arm and'providing a support" for an intermediate portion of said horizontal spindle, a motionlimiting member and means for attaching it to the projecting end of the horizontal spindle, said member cooperating with said arm to limit the angular movement of the hori-. zontal spindle when said projecting end lies in or within a predetermined range of movement from the vertical plane through the arm.

2. The combination with a searchlight, of an arm for attachment to a vehicle, a horizontal spindle on said searchlight and having a projecting end locatedsubstantially in the vertical plane through said arm when the search light is directed forwardly, a vertical spindle pivoted on said arm and providing a supportfor an intermediate por tion of said horizontal spindle, a member adapted to be connectedto the projecting end of said horizontal spindle, a second member adapted to cooperate with said arm to limit the angular movement of the horizontal spindle and means for adjusting the two members relatively to each other.

3. The combination with a searchlight, an arm for attachment to a vehicle, a universal motion connection mounted on said arm and including an element turning about a h0rizontal axis and a member turning about a vertical axis, of a disk-shaped body attached to said element, a second disk-shaped body having a portion cooperating with said arm to limit the angular movement of the element about its axis, andemeans forconnecting said bodies.

4. The combination with a searchlight, an arm for attachment to a vehicle, a universal motion connection mounted on said arm and including an element turning about a horizontal axis and a member turning about a vertical axis, of a disk-shaped body attached to said element, a second disk-shaped body having a portion cooperating with said arm to limit the'angular movement of the element aboutits axis, and means connecting said bodies and permitting the angular adjustment of said second disk-shaped body with respect to said first disk-shaped body.

5. The combinationwith a search light, a support for attachment to a vehicle and a connection between the light and its support including a normally vertical spindle carried by the support and a normally horizontal spindle carried by the vertical spindle, of a disk-shaped body attached to said horizontal spindle and having a non-circular central opening and a circular series of perforations, a second disk-shaped body having a central opening of greater diameter than the central opening of the first body and a circular series of perforations differing in number from the first series, screw mechanism adapted to pass into the said perforations to interlock the said bodies, the second of said bodies having a non-circular peripheral edge forming a stop member moo-operation with the support.

6. An attachment for use with Searchlight brackets of the type which includes an arm for attachment to a vehicle and a horizontal spindle which lies approximately in the vertical plane ofthe' arm when the light is clirected forwardly,'said attachment comprising a member adapted to be fixed to the horizontal spindle, a second member, means for adjusting the two members relatively to each other, the second member having a portion which cooperates directly with the arm to limit the angular movement of the horizontal spindle.

7. A motion-limiting device for attachment to a rotatable element which is movably supported upon an arm in suc'h'manner that a portion of said element may be moved into and out of Vertical alignment with the supporting arm, said device comprising a disk-shaped bodyhaving a peripheral edge defined by a circle and a chord, the radius of the circle being greater than the vertical distance between the axis of said element and the supporting arm and the distance from the axis of the element to the edge formed by the chord being less than said vertical distance, and means for attaching said disk-shaped body to the portion of said element.

8. A motion-limiting device for attachment to a rotatable element Which is movably supported upon an arm insuch manner that a portion of said element may be moved into and out of vertical alignment with the supportlng arm, said device comprising a disk-shaped body having a peripheral edge defined by a circle and a chord,

tance from the axis of the element to theedge formed by the chord being lessthan said vertical distance, a second and smaller disk-shaped body having means permitting the fixing thereof upon the portion of said element, and means for connecting said disks. y

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.-

HAROLD n. THOMAS. 

